. >> reporter: john gallagher hasn't been able to right down a perpetrate address for the past ten years, much less a point of contact. >> they think there is something wrong with you the instant you say i don't have a cell phone or another number you can use. the world has changed from the point where having a communication device on you at all times is an imperative. >> reporter: john says it has held him and other homeless back from getting the right medication, doctor's appointments, housing and getting a day's work. >> go out and pound the pavement. people in offices at work don't want to you pound the pavement or knock on their door. they want you to call them and let you call them back. >> reporter: if the plan goes through, the homeless could apply for these virtual virtually free phones from insurance wireless. the program also pays the way for the new shelter initiative. >> they can sent texts to people. we can tell them you need to go to this or that shelter, come up, your application has come up for housing. it will change things tremendously. >> reporter: it also gives those